Endorsement

Dear Central Asian mineral market professionals!

On behalf of the JSC National Mining Company “Tau-Ken Samruk”, I am pleased to invite you to take part in the international Mining & Exploration Forum “MINEX Central Asia” which will be held on 16-18 March 2010 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

JSC National Mining Company “Tau-Ken Samruk” is proud to be the Lead regional partner of the MINEX Forum and welcomes its initiative to establish in Central Asia a professional platform aimed at facilitating dialogue between the mining companies and investors.

Mining partnership and the international MINEX forum (from English Mining and Exploration) were established in Russia in 2005 by a group of Russian and International mining engineers and consultant. MINEX events are organised with the purpose of stimulating knowledge exchange on efficient use of natural resources, and the use of advanced technologies and efficient business management models. In five years of its existence MINEX became the largest in the CIS mining trade and exploration community uniting over 2 thousand professionals working in the fields of exploration, prospecting, resource evaluation, financing and export of precious metals and stones, uranium, base metals, coal, iron ore, rare-earth metals and industrial minerals.

Minex Central Asia is to become a prime annual Mining Technical and Investment event for Kazakhstan and Central Asian Region. It will be providing a platform designed to facilitate international dialogue between companies, investors and government with the aim to encourage investment, sustainable development and improvement of efficiency of mining in the Central Asian region.

Today Kazakhstan is amongst the leading countries in terms of size and diversity of its mineral reserves. Combined with political stability, predictability of the State’s economic policy and preferential tax regime, it creates favourable investment climate. Kazakhstan also boasts a winning geographical position – close proximity to the largest markets such as China and thus is indeed a highly attractive market for investments.

The National Mining Company “Tau-Ken Samruk” is the national operator of mining and metallurgical assets in Kazakhstan, created with the purpose of consolidating state-owned assets and increasing the efficiency of their management.

The main business advantages of “Tau-Ken Samruk” are the right of direct dialogue with the competent body – the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Kazakhstan in relation to Kazakhstan natural resources assets – mines owned by the state; and the priority right to purchase licences and shares in natural resources companies. “Tau-Ken Samruk” is a part of the Group of Companies “The National Welfare Fund “Samruk-Kazyna”

I believe that the forum MINEX Central Asia will facilitate the broadening of business contacts, strengthening the existing business relations and advancement of the mining industry in Kazakhstan and the Central Asian Region.
I wish all participants productive and interesting work.

The Republic of Kazakhstan is pleased to host in Astana on 16 – 18 March 2010 the Inaugural Mining & Exploration Business Forum “Minex Central Asia 2010”.

Kazakhstan continues to illustrate exceptional business and investment perspectives in the Mining and Metals sector. The impeding “New Subsoil Use Code” and the State program of Industrial modernisation and innovation will be turning a new page in the development of the Natural minerals resources and mining industry of Kazakhstan which currently contributes to 22% of the National GDP. Kazakhstan has well established mining traditions and long history. This year Kazakhstan’s National Nuclear Company Kazatomprom has become the World’s No 1 Uranium producer. Such Kazakhstan’s Mining Champions as ENRC and Kazakhmys are on the top of the FTSE 100 list and have been consistently demonstrating ability for growth, innovation and sustainable development.

I wish Minex Central Asia Forum a success in providing an international platform which will encourage information exchange on investment and long term partnership opportunities in Kazakhstan and the whole Central Asian region.

The three day agenda of the forum will feature:

Over 50 presentations from the local government representatives, chief executives of the leading mining companies and international mining experts and financiers;

Three mining master classes which will provide update on current management issues and best mining practices in Kazakhstan and Central Asia;

A mining exhibition held alongside the forum will illustrate latest technologies and promising innovations in mining and exploration sector.
I sincerely hope that you will join the forum and lend your support.

Kairat Abusseitov
Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen!
On behalf of the Committee for Geology and Subsoil Use of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I extend a cordial welcome to all exhibitors, guests and organisers of the Minex Central Asia Mining and Exploration forum which will take place in Astana on 16-18 March 2010.

Organised in currently unfavorable financial and investment climate, the forum is designed to enhance professional dialogue and develop understanding between Central Asian mining community and foreign investors in the spheres of Mining exploration and Technical cooperation.

The forum’s agenda offers an extensive list of presentations on current changes in sub-soil use regulation in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, mining strategies, mining finance and business optimisation and innovation practices. The exhibition organized alongside the forum will illustrate latest technologies and promising development trends in mining and exploration in Central Asia. I wish Minex Central Asia to become a leading Mining Forum which will assist with establishing new contacts, developing existing partnerships and sharing advanced business practices.

Bulat Uzhkenov
Chairman, Committee for Geology and Subsoil Use
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Ladies and Gentlemen!

On behalf of The Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises of Kazakhstan, I am pleased to invite you to take part in the annual Mining and Exploration Forum “MINEX Central Asia” which will be held on 16-18 March 2010 at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The Forum will demonstrate opportunities for international partnerships in the spheres of technical innovation, modernisation and mining exploration in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

I am certain that the forum and organised alongside of it specialist exhibition will provide a perfect opportunity for the international expert discussion of the best mining practices and will greatly contribute to further advancement of the mining industry of Kazakhstan.

I sincerely wish all participants a successful participation in the forum which will hopefully become the basis for new businesses ventures and partnerships.